Another strong test presented itself in the early season for the Powell football team, as the Panthers welcomed Lander to Panther Stadium and survived a difficult contest in a 10-7 victory over the Tigers thanks to a second-half touchdown pass that would prove to be the game winner. 

Colder temperatures on Friday night led to struggles for both teams throughout the game receiving the ball, and a strong front line from Lander (1-1) led to an early struggle for the Panthers (2-1).

Powell punted on its first possessions, and finally caught an early break when Keona Wisniewski recovered a muffed punt by Lander to set the Panthers up near midfield.

“It meant a lot to me,” Wisniewski said. “I had a lot of people telling me I was playing so good, I did not want that to get to my head because I just want to play my game and play my part and everybody else plays their part.”

Powell moved the ball into Lander territory, but could not capitalize and was forced to punt.

A roughing the punter call gave the Panthers more life, but again Powell was unable to move the ball and were forced to punt.

The first score of the game came at the start of the second quarter when Steven Stambaugh hit a 19-yard field goal to give Powell a 3-0 lead.

Lander responded on its next drive, moving the ball downfield efficiently and taking the lead on a touchdown to make it 7-3.

Powell was unable to answer, and Lander was threatening to score again.

Wisniewski stepped up again, intercepting a Brenon Stauffenberg pass to give the Panthers the ball with 4:35 remaining in the first half.

“It was a tough loss last week, we knew their quarterback was good,” Wisniewski said. “We put in a new defense this week, new guys and we fought and played some Powell Panther defense.” 

Powell couldn’t capitalize on the turnover though, and went into the locker room trailing 7-3.

The second half started like the first with a punt, but Powell again got a turnover against Lander.

Seston Shoopman and Austin Graft forced the ball out, which was recovered by Trey Stenerson to give the Panthers the ball near midfield.

Powell used that turnover to put together a drive that took just under two minutes, with a Jhett Schwahn pass finding Evan Whitlock to give the Panthers a 10-7 lead.

“Our guys were timid in the first half, they did not have confidence in themselves,” coach Chase Kistler said. “They told me that at half, they said ‘we do not believe in ourselves,’ I said, ‘that is crazy because I do.’ I said, ‘how do you expect me to believe in you when you do not believe in your own selves?’”

The Panthers got the ball back, and appeared to score again but the officials ruled a Schwahn goal line sneak a fumble to give Lander the ball back.

In the fourth quarter, Lander had a strong drive aided by a late hit out of bounds that put the Tigers in scoring range.

The Panthers stopped Lander on third down forcing a field goal attempt.

The 33-yard attempt sailed left, and Powell ran out the clock on the final 4:00 to walk away with the victory.

Powell won the turnover battle, forcing three turnovers and a missed field goal by Lander to the one from the Panthers.

“You gotta make your own luck. You have to be playing hard and flying to the ball to get those turnovers,” Kistler said. “Against Worland we learned the hard way that turnovers kill us, so it can be momentum for you or a killer.”

TOUGH TEST

Powell heads on the road this Friday, making its way to Douglas (1-1) to take on the Bearcats.

The Panthers split contests against Douglas last year, defeating the Bearcats in Powell in the regular season but losing in Douglas during the playoffs.

“This win gives us some more confidence, but it showed us two halves where we can play really good or poorly,” Kistler said. “We have to bring that energy for four quarters instead of two because against Douglas it will be different.”

That contest is scheduled to kick off at 6 p.m.

POWELL 10, LANDER 7

Passing — Jhett Schwahn 11-25; 167 yards; 1 touchdown

Rushing — Case Bradish 23-102; Jhett Schwahn 8-19; Steven Stambaugh 9-10

Receiving — Trey Stenerson 3-60; Austin Graft 3-52; Evan Whitlock 2-36, 1 touchdown; Steven Stambaugh 1-9; Nathan Feller 1-7; Keona Wisniewski 1-3

Fumble recoveries — Trey Stenerson 1, Keona Wisniewski 1

Interceptions — Keona Wisniewski 1

Sacks — Austin Graft 1